Amie Knight
Amie Knight with her original country song ‘Two Guys’ won the final of Live: Ferndown on Friday 8 April.
The 19-year-old country singer / guitarist announced that the track was to be her first single on her debut EP and the audience at the Barrington Theatre was the first to hear it live. After the performance, it was judged to have a real feel-good factor.
The final saw 13 polished acts of various ages and genres from rock to swing and opera to country, fight it out for the title.
Judges Matt Black, Conor Poulton, Helena Mace, Brian Oliver and Paul (Timbrewulf) Hobbins had a difficult decision as there were so many exceptional performers. Whilst they deliberated, last year’s winner, 17-year-old folk singer Emma-Jane Toop, played a set on stage. MP for Christchurch Chris Chope attended with his wife Christo and said he was very impressed with the standard of the local acts. “This is what ‘local’ is all about,” he said.
DFYNE
Runners up, DFYNE, performed their own version of ‘This Love’ by Maroon 5 and judge Matt said it was a “polished performance with bags of stage presence.”
In third place was Power Thief, also voted by the audience as their favourite act. The band gave a solid performance of their song ‘Inner Fire’ and their stage presence was incredible considering the oldest band member is 16. Judge Conor said, “Doing this at your age is amazing.”
Power Thief
The Live: Ferndown final was run jointly by Cllr Steve Lugg in conjunction with the Ferndown Community Association. Chrissyferkin hosted the show seamlessly and a retiring collection was taken for JTYAF (John Thornton Young Achievers’ Foundation) and PASHA (Housing and Homeless Shelter) – Cllr Steve Lugg’s two chosen charities of the year as chairman of East Dorset District Council.
The Live: Ferndown 2016 prizes were sponsored by Forest FM, AM Studios and Basement Studios (winner’s prize).
Cllr Steve Lugg commented, “This year, everyone performed at their very best, and should be proud of their performances. Next year will see real ‘Ferndown Voice’ Stu Nicholson join the judging panel. Stu lives a mile from the Barrington, and is lead singer of Galahad. With 21 albums, over 100,000 sales and 31 years gigging, Galahad are something of a force!
“We will continue to innovate, support and showcase the best of local live music, with the aim of being the number one contemporary music hub in East Dorset.”
Live: Ferndown 2016 results:
Winner: Amie Knight, 2nd DFYNE; 3rd Power Thief; Audience’s choice: Power Thief
